Wilhelm George Frederick Roscher

Wilhelm George Frederick Roscher, 89, died November 30, 2018 in his District Township residence.

He was the husband of Anne Stewart Coldren.

Born in his District Township home on September 20, 1929, he was a son of the late Fredrick George Roscher, Sr., and Elizabeth “Lisa” M. (Daniel) Roscher.

He was a 1948 graduate of Oley Valley High School.  His class started the Oley Fair.

Wilhelm enlisted in the United States Air Force and was awarded his wings and commission in 1954 as a second lieutenant.  At Nellis Air Force Base while in his advanced training Wilhelm broke the sound barrier in an F-86 Sabre Jet.  At 45,000 feet he put the jet into a dive that accelerated to 770 mph.

In 1957 Wilhelm signed on as Captain Roscher flying for United Airlines.  For 28 years he flew every plane that Douglas built including the twin engine DC-3 to the DC-10, French SE-210 Caravelle, British Vikers Viscount and the Lockheed L-049 Constellation.  His last flight was from Maui, Hawaii to Newark on April 23, 1985.

Under the Bush administration after 9/11 Wilhelm was asked to volunteer his time and plane for the Coast Guard to monitor the waterways.  Wilhelm was awared the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by the Federal Aviation Administration for having flown for fifty years without an incident. 

Wilhelm was very active in preservation.  Known as the “Hero of Oley” for conserving the largest contiguous mass of land thus helping to create “The Oley Hills”.

Wilhelm was a member of St. John’s Hill Church in Pike Township.

He is survived by his daughter, Cindy, wife of Harvey Pearson of Tucson, Arizona, grandson, Jeremy Poedel, of Gilbert, Arizona and sister Mignon Roscher wife Gardner of West Palm Beach, Florida. Wilhelm was predeceased by a grandson, Jason D. Poedel, and siblings: Herman Roscher, George Roscher, Ronado Roscher and Tana (Roscher) Wasson-Wilcox.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 8th at 11:00 am at St. John’s Hill Church, 620 Hill Church Rd, Boyertown, PA 19512, with visitation from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Burial will be held privately on the family estate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pine Creek Valley Watershed Assoc., 220 Long Lane, Oley, Pa. 19547.

Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Oley is in charge of arrangements.

For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

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